Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Edo State Special Criminal Court, presided over by Justice Aigbona Terry Momodu, on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, sentenced four members of a kidnapping syndicate to death by hanging for their involvement in the broad-daylight abduction of a woman at the popular Vegetable Market along Airport Road in Benin City, the state capital. The judgment, which lasted over three hours, was the court's maiden ruling in a kidnapping case since it was established on July 1, 2026, to handle kidnapping and cultism-related matters and expedite the prosecution of violent crimes in the state. The four convicts—Marvelous Isaac, 32; Wisdom Michael, 36; Rufus Emete Michael, 30; and Gift Raphael, 27—were arraigned on an 11-count charge bordering on kidnapping, conspiracy, armed robbery, cultism, and unlawful possession of firearms. Justice Momodu, who was visibly moved while pronouncing the sentence, held that the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt.
The case arose from the abduction of a woman on June 14, 2026, at the Vegetable Market in the Government Reserved Area of Benin City. According to accounts presented in court, the woman was at the market with her children and husband when gunmen stormed the scene and forcibly took her away. Her husband reportedly escaped. A witness who was at the market at the time later recounted the incident in a video that circulated online, describing how the gunmen brazenly carried out the abduction in full view of traders and shoppers. The incident became a defining moment for the state government, which had been under pressure to address a spate of kidnappings and cult-related violence across Edo State. Governor Monday Okpebholo, in response, established the Special Criminal Court to try kidnapping and cultism cases with the aim of sending a clear signal to criminal elements that Edo State would not be a haven for them.
The court's verdict was detailed in its sentencing. For the first defendant, Marvelous Isaac, the judge sentenced him to seven years' imprisonment on count one, death by hanging or lethal injection on counts two through nine, ten years' imprisonment on count ten, and life imprisonment on count eleven. The second defendant, Wisdom Michael, received seven years' imprisonment on count one and death by hanging or lethal injection on counts two through nine. The third defendant, Rufus Emete Michael, was sentenced to seven years' imprisonment on count one and death on counts two, three, four, six, and seven. The fourth defendant, Gift Raphael, received seven years' imprisonment on count one and death on counts two, four, six, and eight. In pronouncing the death sentences, Justice Momodu addressed each convict with the solemn words: "You shall be hanged by the neck till you are dead. May the Lord have mercy on you".
The judge also made a significant statement about the limits of judicial discretion under the law. "My hands are tied under the law. I wish I have the law permit me to exercise my discretion. I would have, but my hands are tied. I will just impose the sentence as prescribed by the law," Justice Momodu said. His comment underscored the mandatory nature of the death penalty for certain offences under Edo State's criminal justice framework, particularly where kidnapping and cultism are involved. The court also ordered the confiscation of a JoJef pump-action rifle and four cartridges tendered as exhibits in the case. The judge directed that the exhibits be handed over to the Edo State Police Armourer at the State Criminal Investigation Department for destruction within 30 days.
The sentencing has been received with mixed reactions across Edo State. For the family of the abducted woman and for residents who have lived in fear of kidnapping and cult-related violence, the judgment represents a measure of justice and a warning to criminal networks operating in the state. The case's journey from the market abduction in June to the courtroom verdict in September demonstrates the potential of the specialised court to expedite cases that would otherwise languish in the general court system for years. However, the death penalty remains a contentious issue in Nigeria and internationally, with human rights organisations expressing concerns about its application, particularly in cases where the evidence may be contested or where the defendants' legal representation may be inadequate.
The conviction of Gift Raphael, a 27-year-old woman, has also drawn attention. Her involvement in the syndicate challenges the narrative that kidnapping and cultism are exclusively male enterprises and raises questions about the recruitment and roles of women in criminal networks. The court's finding that she was culpable on multiple counts, including kidnapping and armed robbery, underscores the seriousness with which the judiciary views participation in such activities, regardless of gender.
As the four convicts await the execution of their sentences, the case stands as a landmark in Edo State's fight against kidnapping and cultism. The special court's maiden judgment has delivered the ultimate penalty, signaling that the state is prepared to deploy its most severe sanctions against those who terrorise its communities. Whether the death sentences will be carried out, and whether they will serve as a deterrent, remains to be seen. But for now, the judgment has sent a clear message: in Edo State, kidnapping and cultism carry consequences that reach the highest level of punishment permitted by law. The people of Benin City, who witnessed the woman's abduction in broad daylight, will be watching to see whether this verdict marks a turning point in the state's battle against violent crime or simply a single chapter in a long and difficult struggle.
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